Setup WordPress locally: Installing an Apache Web Server

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Installing Apache on Windows

  • Go to the Apache Website and download the installer file.
  • Make sure Internet Information Services (IIS) is not running.
  • If IIS is running, you will find the IIS console at Start->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Internet Services Manager. Shut it down.
  • Run the installer
  • In the Server Information dialogue, enter the following
    • Network Domain: The domain name. For local testing, enter localhost.
    • Server Name: The name of the server. For local testing, enter localhost.
    • Email Address: The email address where you want to receive email messages about the webserver.
    • Run Mode: In most cases, you would want to run Apache as a service.
  • You can change the installation directory if you click on Custom.
  • Click Install.

Installing and Starting Apache Manually

If you choose to run the apache server manually in the Run Mode, you must install it. This can be done as follows.

  • Run the command prompt as Administrator.
  • Navigate to the bin directory in the Apache install directory and run the following command: httpd.exe -k install
  • Start the server using the Apache Monitor in the taskbar.

Un-Installing Apache

Navigate to the bin directory in the Apache install directory and run the following command httpd.exe -k uninstall

Configuring Apache

To change any settings, edit the httpd.conf file. On Windows, you can access this file through the menu at Start -> Programs -> Apache HTTPD Server -> Configure Apache Server -> Edit the Apache httpd.conf File.

Restart the server for the changes to take effect.